How well do you understand freedom in the United Arab Emirates? This test will check your awareness of civil rights in the UAE.

23 November 2020 20:00

On November 8, the United Arab Emirates introduced a series of reforms affecting the criminal code and personal rights as part of the state’s modernisation. The change should improve the image of the UAE, testifying to the country’s progressiveness. However, experts doubt it radical reformist path as on November 9, the UAE announced disrespect for the flag of any country would lead to a prison term of up to 25 years and a massive fine of about $137,000. How do liberal intentions coexist with paradoxically cruel punishments for small crimes? Are you sure you can understand how the law in the UAE treats certain legal violations? Let’s check!

1 of 10

Which of these misconducts have a fine of more than $70,000?
- A Swearing on WhatsApp
  Eh, you are only half right: profanity on any social media or messaging platform violates cyber laws of the UAE. Still, fundraisers may be fined too if their virtues are not approved by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD)
- Raising money for charity without permission
  Well, you are only half right: fundraising must first be approved by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). Still profanity on any social media or messaging platform violates cyber laws of the UAE and is punishable
- Both of them
  You are right! Profanity on any social media or messaging platform violates cyber laws of the UAE and fundraising must first be approved by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD)
2 of 10

How are marriages between Christian women and Muslim men treated?
- Only relatives of the president have such a privilege
  Actually, no. The law allows a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim woman but prohibits a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim man, so you don’t have to be a president’s relative.
- Marriages between them are forbidden
  No, they are not. The law allows a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim woman but prohibits a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim man.
- Christian women can marry Muslim men freely
  Yes! Even more: according to the Federal National Council (FNC), 57 per cent of marriages held in the UAE in recent years were mixed.
3 of 10

Which of these three options does not require any permission to take a photo?
- Taking pictures of celebrities
  You are right! This is one of the exceptions to the law for sharing pictures in the UAE.
- Photographing vehicles parked in parking spots for the disabled
  Regretfully, no. There was even an extremely unpleasant and well-known case when Australian teacher Jodi Magi was fined and then deported for publishing a photo like this!
- Shooting pictures of aviation accidents
  You can’t even imagine how wrong you are: it is prohibited just like photographing car crashes. You may be fined $14,000 and deported for it.
4 of 10

Research shows in 2018, almost 38 percent of UAE residents own a car. What do you think a local motorist can be punished more for?
- Having a dirty car
  You are right, this one is punished harshly: dirty cars are considered to be “disfiguring the city image and public health”. You may be fined $850 for having a dirty car
- Washing a car on one’s own
  This one violates a prescription according to which the appearance of the city cannot be spoiled. Traces of water from washing a car can be harmful to the environment, and even more, dirty water itself can be ecologically hazardous. An amateur activity like this may lead to being fined $136. Still, having a dirty car is worse and is punished more severely
- Having a car washed by a specialised service
  Nobody will punish you for this, of course. This is the best and most reliable way to wash your car and not getting fined because washing your vehicle yourself can get you in trouble
5 of 10

What is the risk if you fall asleep on public transport?
- Obviously I won’t violate any law in this case! I hope so…
  You are right. The UAE can scare you with many of its laws, but this one will not lead you to be punished.
- $25 fine
  No. Actually, nothing will happen to you. The UAE can scare you with many of its laws, but this one will not lead you to be punished.
- Correctional labour lasting as long as your sleep did
  It would be a very consistent logic, but no. The UAE can scare you with many of its laws, but this one will not lead you to be punished.
6 of 10

How is kissing your partner in public treated in the UAE?
- I guess same as sleeping on public transport – you can’t get punished for it.
  Actually, you are wrong. Kissing is considered an offence to public decency. There was an infamous case of Charlotte Adams and Ayman Najafi, a British couple which got sentenced to a month of prison after kissing each other’s cheek.
- The laws in the UAE are bizarre - maybe one can go to jail for this?
  Yes, and there was the infamous case of Charlotte Adams and Ayman Najafi, a British couple which got sentenced to a month of prison after kissing each other’s cheek
- I expect local police to fine people for this
  It’s too easy to get off with a fine, you may get sentenced for it. You can check the infamous case of Charlotte Adams and Ayman Najafi, a British couple which got sentenced to a month of prison after kissing each other’s cheek
7 of 10

Is stalking women punishable in the UAE?
- As paradoxical as it may be – yes.
  You are right! Thanks to the latest changes in the law which include harsher penalties for stalking women and harassing them in general.
- Considering the unusual laws of the UAE, not likely.
  Fortunately, you are wrong! The latest changes in the law include harsher penalties for stalking women and harassing them in general.
- I think it is even rewarded!
  Fortunately, you are wrong! The latest changes in the law include harsher penalties for stalking women and harassing them in general.
8 of 10

Chewing gum - what do you get for having one in your mouth in public?
- Hopefully, I won’t get punished. Come on; it’s just chewing gum!
  Sorry to surprise you, but you will be fined $27. Get used to it!
- Surely, I’ll have to pay a fine…
  Yep, you are right, you’ll have to pay $27.
- Any police officer can walk up to me and ask me to roll the gum into paper, so I don’t stick it under the seat.
  A very ingenious answer, but no. You just have to pay $27.
9 of 10

Which of these three offences is the most severely punished?
- Eating during Ramadan in public
  It’s prohibited and is punishable by up to a month in jail or a fine of up to $545, but espionage can lead to capital punishment
- Men dressing in women clothes
  You will get arrested for this one, but still, you won’t receive capital punishment – espionage can lead to it.
- Espionage
  You are right. For example, if you reveal defence secrets, you may be punished by death.
10 of 10

The final question: who can legally drink alcohol in the UAE?
- Only foreigners can – Islam is strict towards alcohol.
  You would be right until recently. Alcohol was always accessible to foreigners if they had a special licence, but the new laws decriminalise alcohol drinking for Emiratis too.
- Only Emiratis can – you should not give extra privileges to foreigners in your country.
  You are wrong – until recently residents of the UAE could be punished for drinking alcohol, which was always accessible to foreigners if they had a special licence, but the new laws decriminalise alcohol drinking for Emiratis too.
- Anyone can
  You are right! Alcohol was always accessible to foreigners if they had a special licence, but the new laws decriminalise alcohol drinking for Emiratis too

/ 10

If you want to visit the UAE – you’d better think again. You may be very unlucky.

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/ 10

Well, if you study the laws of the United Arab Emirates a bit more, you may be safe. But be careful and remember it’ll be hard to get consular help if you’re arrested!

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/ 10

You are a real Emirati! Make yourself at home, but always be careful - trouble with the law overtakes the locals too.

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How well do you understand freedom in the United Arab Emirates? This test will check your awareness of civil rights in the UAE.

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